Kiffin's Trojans still a work in progress

May 1, 2010

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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Freshman running back Dillon Baxter (28) is brought down after a 19-yard run by cornerback Shareece Wright, center, and linebacker Michael Morgan during the second half of Saturday's Spring Football Game at the Coliseum, in Los Angeles. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Dan Guzman, left, and Lola Guzman pose for a photo with Andy Ortiz, center, who dressed up in his special Trojan gear for Saturday's Spring Football Game, at the Coliseum, in Los Angeles. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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USC football fans tailgate outside of the Coliseum before the Spring Football Game, on Saturday. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Fullback Stanley Havili (31) and freshman wide receiver Kyle Prater (85) celebrate Havili's first half 28-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Mitch Mustain during the first half of Saturday's Spring Football Game at the Coliseum, in Los Angeles. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Senior wide receiver Travon Patterson out runs cornerback Shareece Wright to the end zone on a 41-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Matt Barkley during the second half of Saturday's Spring Football Game at the Coliseum, in Los Angeles. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Tailgating before Saturday's Spring Football Game at the Coliseum are USC football fans Sergio Arvayo, of Pico Rivera, from left, Nate Erickson, of San Diego, Chris Alvarez, of La Habra, Billy Britt, of Norwalk, and Efrain Rodriguez, of Ft. Lewis, Washington. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Tailback Allen Bradford (21) is slowed down by linebacker Chris Galippo after a sizable gain during the first half of Saturday's Spring Football Game at the Coliseum, in Los Angeles. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Hanging out and tailgating before Saturday's Spring Football Game at the Coliseum are Pat Emigh, of Long Beach, from left, his son Luke Emigh (3) who really wants to hold the football that Natalie Reaves (4) of Lancaster is holding. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Tailback Allen Bradford (21) looks for a seam in the defense during a first half run in Saturday's Spring Football Game at the Coliseum, in Los Angeles. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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USC football fans from Palm Springs Maddie, from left, Katie, Geli, Marlee, and Lo have fun outside of the Coliseum before Saturday's Spring Football Game. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Freshman running back Dillon Baxter (28) runs away from the pack on one of his long second half carries during Saturday's Spring Football Game at the Coliseum, in Los Angeles. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A group of USC football fans tailgate outside of their mobile home before Saturday's Spring Football Game. They travel all around the country to Trojan football games, and usually host about 60 people at their home game parties. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Quarterback Matt Barkley prepares to throw down field with a pass rusher breathing down his neck during the first half of Saturday's Spring Football Game at the Coliseum, in Los Angeles. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Former USC baseball coach Joe Curi was among the crowd who turned out at the Coliseum for Saturday's Spring Football Game. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Defensive end Armond Armstead, left, and linebacker Chris Galippo, right, team up to bring down freshman running back Dillon Baxter during the first half of Saturday's Spring Football Game at the Coliseum, in Los Angeles. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The USC Song Girls perform before the start of Saturday's Spring Football Game at the Coliseum. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Quarterback Mitch Mustain prepares to send a pass to wide receiver Brice Butler, foreground, during the second half of Saturday's Spring Football Game at the Coliseum, in Los Angeles. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Young Trojan football fans have fun from the stands of the Coliseum during Saturday's Spring Football Game. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Wide receiver Brice Butler tries to stay inbound after a second half reception during Saturday's Spring Football Game at the Coliseum, in Los Angeles. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Matching Trojan football fans have fun from the stands of the Coliseum during Saturday's Spring Football Game. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Defensive end Wes Horton is knocked on his seat by offensive tackle Matt Kalil (75) while trying to rush the quarterback during the second half of Saturday's Spring Football Game at the Coliseum, in Los Angeles. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Posing for a photo on the Coliseum field after Saturday's USC Spring Football Game are USC grads Julia Pabst, from left, Rae Pardini, and Jordan Meridith. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Senior wide receiver Travon Patterson (17) is brought down by cornerback T.J Bryant, center, defensive tackle Christian Tupou, right, and linebacker Chris Galippo (54) during Saturday's Spring Football Game at the Coliseum, in Los Angeles. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Incoming freshmen from Lakewood High, quarterback Jesse Scroggins, left, and free safety Dion Bailey pose for a photo on the Coliseum field after Saturday's USC Spring Football Game. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Cornerback Daniel Harper (26) prepares to tackle tailback Curtis McNeal during the first half of Saturday's Spring Football Game at the Coliseum, in Los Angeles. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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USC Trojan football fans rush to an area of the Coliseum where players were waiting to sign autographs after Saturday's Spring Football Game. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Senior wide receiver Travon Patterson heads for the end zone on a second half touchdown run at Saturday's Spring Football Game at the Coliseum, in Los Angeles. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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USC Trojan football fans Doris and Zana wait to get autographs from players after Saturday's Spring Football Game. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Junior linebacker Chris Galippo (54) directs the defense during Saturday's Spring Football Game at the Coliseum, in Los Angeles. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A Trojan football fan poses for a photo with defensive tackle Christian Tupou as center Abe Markowitz, foreground hands back a signed helmet after Saturday's Spring Football Game. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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USC defensive coaches Ed Orgeron, from left, Joe Barry, and Monte Kiffin confer during Saturday's Spring Football Game at the Coliseum, in Los Angeles. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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USC cornerback Shareece Wright gets a hug from a young Trojan cheerleader during Saturday's autograph session with fans after Saturday's Spring Football Game. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Fullback Stanley Havili (31) strolls the sideline before the start of the second half of Saturday's Spring Football Game at the Coliseum, in Los Angeles. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Trojan football fans crowd around quarterback Mitch Mustain, left, and freshman running back Dillon Baxter during the autograph session after Saturday's Spring Football Game. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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USC defensive and recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron watches the action on the field from the sideline during Saturday's Spring Football Game at the Coliseum, in Los Angeles. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Irvine USC grad Divya Rajpoot poses for a photo by her friend Melissa Wallman, who will graduate in 2011, on the Coliseum field after Saturday's Spring Football Game. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Freshman running back Dillon Baxter (28) is brought down after a 19-yard run by cornerback Shareece Wright, center, and linebacker Michael Morgan during the second half of Saturday's Spring Football Game at the Coliseum, in Los Angeles. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Kiffin sought consistency in Saturday's spring-ending scrimmage at the Coliseum but didn't get much. The defense dominated the first half, the offense the second. (Watch video of scrimmage.)

"I think our defense has a chance to be really good," Kiffin said. "I think our offense has a long, long, long ways to go, especially in the run game."

The passing game was hit and miss as well, especially in the first half, when the offense produced only one touchdown in nine possessions. Kiffin compared the effort to "a 1960s scrimmage" because "there was nothing going on outside." He didn't hide his displeasure with his players at halftime or with the media afterward.

"I told the players at halftime they are going to take your scholarship checks and give them back to the fans that came out today because that was an embarrassing performance," Kiffin said. "It was good to see them respond. They came out in the second half and played much better."

The offense scored seven second-half touchdowns, including four touchdown passes by backup quarterback Mitch Mustain, who finished with five. Mustain completed 19 of 29 passes for 299 yards in one of his best performances since transferring to USC.

"This was a big day for me," Mustain said. "I hope they (the coaches) evaluate it and leave with a good impression."

Three of the touchdown passes went to fullback Stanley Havili, who finished with five catches for 129 yards.

BARKLEY DINGED

Mustain received extra snaps in the second half after starting quarterback Matt Barkley banged his right hand on defensive tackle Jurrell Casey's helmet. Casey also knocked Barkley down, prompting Kiffin to send junior Casey to the locker room for the remainder of the scrimmage.

Barkley was following through on his lone touchdown pass, a 41-yarder to Travon Patterson. Trainers iced and wrapped Barkley's hand soon after. He said he could have kept playing if it had been a real game.

Although his overall numbers were pedestrian — 7 of 16 for 87 yards — Barkley said he was pleased that he didn't throw an interception. That marked the fourth scrimmage in a row in which Barkley did not have a turnover.

"I've grown so much in decision-making," he said. "I'm not forcing the ball."

Barkley became the latest casualty for an offense that was missing three receivers, including spring star Ronald Johnson, and multiple offensive linemen. The injuries clearly hampered the unit's effectiveness.

"We weren't full force, not even close to being full force," Barkley said. "With everyone healthy, we'll be good to go."

POSITIVE SPIN

Freshman tailback Dillon Baxter brought the crowd of about 15,000 to life with several dazzling runs in the second half. The highlight was a 57-yard dash on fourth-and-2 featuring two 360-degree spins to elude the defense near the line of scrimmage.

Had Kiffin ever seen a run like that before?

"Yeah, on PlayStation," he said. "It's the R2 button."

Baxter finished with a team-best 129 yards on 13 carries.

NOTES

Kiffin said there was no change to linebacker Jordan Campbell's status. Campbell is not with the team while the coaches look into an unspecified off-the-field incident. ... Guard John Martinez and safety Ryan McMahon exited early because of shoulder injuries. Tackle Tyron Smith played through a sprained ankle. ... Jalen Grimble, a defensive end from Las Vegas, committed to USC, Scout.com reported. Grimble is the cousin of USC-bound tight end Xavier Grimble. ... Several recruits attended the spring game, including offensive linemen Marcus Martin and Antonio Loggins of Crenshaw of Los Angeles.

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